Cognitive Disorders and Geriatric Neurology
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Cognitive Disorders and Geriatric Neurology |
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As a branch of medicine, geriatrics is concerned with diagnosing and treating
illnesses that occur in adults, generally over age 60. A subset of this, geriatric
neurology focuses on neurologic disorders common to this age group.
Correct diagnosis of neurologic disorders in older adults can be difficult
because signs of disease may mimic normal signs of aging. Also patients frequently
have more than one neurologic problem at once. It can be challenging to find
the best treatment once such a problem has been diagnosed.
Common Geriatric Neurology Problems
In addition to memory loss and dementia, as mentioned earlier, many neurologic
disorders--weakness, numbness, poor balance, stroke, Parkinson's disease,
and seizures--become more common with age. Often, more than one neurologic
disorder are present at the same time.
Memory and Aging
As many people gt older, they complain of memory loss. Slight memory loss
from normal aging should not interfere with daily activities. However,
forgetting appointments, being unable to find your way in familiar areas, having
difficulty with cooking or reading--these are all possible signs of more severe
memory loss which needs to be investigated.
Causes of Memory Disorders
The causes of memory loss range from treatable conditions such as depression,
vitamin B12 deficiency, medications and sleep disorders to more sever dementia.
Dementia is the medical term used to describe patients with memory loss server
enough to interfere with daily activities. There are many causes of dementia,
including Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common cause.
The causes of memory loss and dementia should be identified early, since
many can be refersed or improved if treated. Although there is no cure for
Alzheimer's disease, there are treatments to improve the symptoms and situation
of Alzheimer's patients and their families. For example, medications can improve
memory loss and treat the psychiatric symptoms that may accompany this disease.
Additionally, patients and families also benefit from an accurate diagnosis,
which allows them to get community support and plan for the future.
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Evaluation of Memory Disorders
Anyone who experiences memory loss or dementia should have a complete medical
history and examination, including testing of memory and cognition. Blood tests,
and in some patients, a brain imaging study such as a computer assisted tomography
(CAT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, can screen for treatable
causes of memory loss.
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Warning Signs of Dementia and Neurologic Disorders
- Misplacing things repeatedly
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Disorientation of time and place; getting lost near home
- Poor or weaker judgement
- Personality changes; becoming irritable, fearful, suspicious, inappropriate
- Sudden weakness, numbness or vision loss
- Tremor, shakiness
- Difficulty walking because of shuffling steps or poor balance
- Loss of awareness or convulsions
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- Memory disorders and dementia
- Gait disorders
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Neurologic problems in older adults
In selected patients, the clinic can coordinate: more formal testing of cognition
with neuropsychological tests, genetic counseling for families with inherited
disorders, referral to community services, area agencies and support groups,
and potential participation in research projects related to geriatric neurology. top
Alzheimer's Disease Links
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